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Tap Into Spring: Group Tours & Thurman Maple Days in the Lake George Area
Posted on 2/26/2026
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Tap Into Spring: Group Tours & Thurman Maple Days in the Lake George Area
When winter begins to loosen its grip in the Adirondacks, something sweet starts to flow. Maple syrup season transforms the rural town of Thurman—just minutes from Lake George—into an authentic, hands-on group tour experience that blends agriculture, history, local flavor, and community celebration.
For motorcoach groups, senior tours, student travel, and specialty interest itineraries, Thurman Maple Days offers a ready-made, multi-stop spring program that’s interactive, educational, and delicious.
A Sweet Tradition Worth Experiencing
Maple sugaring has shaped Adirondack life for centuries. Dating back to Native American and early European practices, the process remains largely the same today: sap is collected from maple trees, boiled down in sugar houses, and refined into pure Adirondack syrup. During Maple Days, guests step directly into that process.
Sugar houses open their doors for guided demonstrations, tours of the sugar bush, and firsthand looks at modern reverse osmosis systems alongside traditional wood-fired evaporators. Visitors meet the families behind the farms, sample maple products fresh from production, and learn how thousands of gallons of sap become liquid gold.
It’s agricultural tourism at its most authentic—perfect for groups seeking immersive regional experiences.
2026 Thurman Maple Days Dates:
March 14–15
March 21–22
March 28–29
A Built-In Culinary Experience
No group visit is complete without pancakes—and Thurman delivers.
Each Maple Days weekend, Valley Road Maple Farm hosts a popular pancake breakfast featuring stacks of fresh pancakes topped with locally produced syrup and maple-smoked sausage. Additional farms offer maple donuts, maple French toast sticks, walkin’ waffles, maple candy, maple cream, peanut brittle, and more.
For tour operators, this creates easy meal integration within the itinerary while keeping guests on-site and engaged.
Meet the Maple Producers
One of the strengths of Maple Days for group travel is the diversity of participating farms, each offering a distinct experience:
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Valley Road Maple Farm showcases thousands of vacuum-fed taps and award-winning maple products.
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Toad Hill Maple Farm features hayrides through the sugar bush and maple kitchen tours.
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Hidden Hollow Maple Farm demonstrates traditional wood-fired syrup production.
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Mud Street Maple offers specialty and infused syrups, including bourbon maple varieties.
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Candy Mountain Maple Farm incorporates sustainability and educational STEM-focused demonstrations.
Because farms are located within close proximity, groups can easily build half-day or full-day touring routes with multiple stops.
Beyond Maple: Expanding the Itinerary
Thurman Maple Days also opens doors to complementary experiences that round out a group visit:
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Artisan markets and craft fairs at Thurman Town Hall
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Blacksmithing and woodworking demonstrations at Martin’s Tree Farm
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Farm tours and award-winning cheese tastings at Nettle Meadow Farm & Sanctuary
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Textile manufacturing history tours at TEF Braids
This variety allows tour planners to tailor visits for culinary groups, educational trips, garden clubs, faith-based groups, and agricultural enthusiasts.
The Grand Finale: A Community Celebration
The season concludes with the long-standing Jack Wax Thurman Community Dinner at the Lodge on Echo Lake (April 4, 2026). This multi-decade tradition features an all-you-can-eat maple-themed buffet and the beloved “sugar on snow” experience—thick maple syrup poured over shaved ice to create a taffy-like treat.
Live local music and community spirit make it a memorable closing event for groups staying overnight in the region.
Why Maple Season Works for Groups
Spring is a shoulder season opportunity in the Lake George Area, offering:
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Easier availability for lodging and dining
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Engaging, hands-on agricultural experiences
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Multi-stop rural touring routes
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Built-in culinary components
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Authentic community interaction
Maple Days pairs seamlessly with Lake George lodging, Glens Falls dining, scenic Adirondack drives, and cultural attractions—making it easy to turn a weekend visit into a multi-day itinerary.
Maple season may only last a few short weekends, but the experience leaves a lasting impression. For groups looking to explore the Lake George Area in a way that feels local, interactive, and uniquely Adirondack, Thurman Maple Days is a natural fit.
Interested in building a spring group itinerary? Our team is ready to help customize your Maple Days tour in the Lake George Area.
